Monthly Archives: May 2008

Substitutionary Atonement

by Stephen Rodgers

Considering Dr. Snider’s recent sermon on the centrality of the doctrine of substitutionary atonement within the Bible, I thought it might be valuable to examine a number of the objections currently being raised against this central tenant of Christianity. As he mentioned, originally the character of God was under attack (with the rise of open theism/free will theology in the early 90’s), then the doctrine of eternity came under fire (pun intended) with the marginalization of Hell within evangelical circles, and finally now the heretical chicken has come home to roost with substitutionary atonement.

Hostile critics of substitutionary atonement (as opposed to “friendly critics” such as John Stott and J.I. Packer who simply and correctly argue for a complete understanding of the doctrine) generally formulate their objections around one of several major categories. I’d like to take a brief look at the three most common objections in order to better understand how to answer their objections.

Many argue against penal substitution by claiming it is contrary to the position of the Early Church. While it is true that the early church emphasized the idea of Christus Victor, (the death of Christ as a means of overcoming sin, death, and the devil), it would be theologically simplistic to the point of error to say that was the only consequence of Christ’s death on the cross. Yes Christus Victor is a part of it, but so is propitiation and expiation of sins, reconciliation of man to God, the revelation of God…the list goes on. And yes, substitutionary atonement is definitely on that list (see Isaiah 53:6, 12; Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 10:1-4; etc.).

Many more argue that the whole idea of penal substitution is inherently unjust. The most famous quote in this category likens the death of Christ to “cosmic child abuse.” What this metaphor utterly fails takes into account is the fact that child abuse is only possible in an inequitable relationship; in other words, what makes the crime of child abuse so heinous is that it occurs between an individual who has relatively ultimate power, and an individual who is relatively impotent. But before we start characterizing Christ as a victim, we should go read His words in John 10:17-18: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” That doesn’t sound like a powerless victim to me!

Some argue that the doctrine of substitutionary atonement is based on Natural Theology. This argument can be addressed in a similar fashion to the first argument based on the position of the early church. First though, a quick definition of Natural Theology: essentially this is a label to categorize the establishment of an understanding of God based on worldly examples and experience rather than an understanding of God based on the revelation of Scripture. And while it could be argued that a strictly limited view of penal substitution was originally drawn from a worldly concept of judicial retribution, such was not the Reformers intention. They fought against such theological reductionism, and so should we. In fact, we will face this all the more precisely because we live in a sound byte culture that judges the validity of an argument simply by how good of a headline it makes! While it may be convenient for us to summarize, abridge and simplify, such actions and attitudes only display our utter disregard for God’s word. Don’t do it!

However, possibly the most commonly encountered and widespread threat to the doctrine of penal substitution is not the threat of theological revision and/or reductionism, but rather that of doctrinal marginalization. It is a rare church these days that declines to water down their theology in order to be more socially acceptable, less offensive, and more culturally relevant. One of the largest churches in America makes it their practice to avoid sermons dealing principially with the topics of “sin, blood, death, hell, or the cross.” And by logical extension, if these topics are not open for discussion, then substitutionary atonement is off the table as well.

Unfortunately, by extension, so is Jesus. And that my friends, to turn the list of objections back on itself, is “unacceptable, utterly offensive, and absolutely irrelevant.”

Francis Schaeffer

Written by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Francis Schaeffer has been known throughout the end of his life and afterwards as an apologist who stood out from the more academic defenders of the faith, such as Cornelius Van Til, Greg Bahnsen, and others. His trilogy of books (The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason, and He Is There and He Is Not Silent) catapulted him to fame within the evangelical world as one who was able to explain Christianity in terms that were understandable to the lay Christian. His home in Switzerland was opened to many who were in the drug culture in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in the hopes that their questions about the meaning of life could truly be answered by what the Scriptures taught.

Schaeffer, however, considered himself first an evangelist who was saved by grace from the God who was truly there and who expresses True Truth in the Word of God written. Born in 1912, Schaeffer grew up in Pennsylvania, where at the age of 18, he was awakened to see that the Bible, and not philosophy, had the real answers to life’s ultimate questions, confessing faith in Christ and offering up the “empty hands of faith” as he would often say, trusting solely in Him.

Within five years, he met Edith Seville, his future wife, literally in the frontlines of battle for the truth at a church event that had a Unification pastor give his reasoning for why he didn’t believe in the deity of Christ and the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. At different times, Francis and Edith spoke in defense of Christ and the true Gospel, thus bringing together a new friendship that eventually led to a nearly 50 year marriage.

He went to Westminster Theological Seminary and had pastored three different churches before moving to Switzerland to do international missions, starting a children’s ministry, which required both him and Edith to write the material themselves. Ministry seemed to be going well, until three or four years into his new life there that Francis Schaeffer began to have grave spiritual doubts about whether he was a Christian, since many around him were also in the fight for doctrinal purity, but not for a pure life. Zeal for what many of his co-laborers were not had distressed Schaeffer very much, wondering what any of them were actually for. Yet, through his study of the Scriptures, he had a renewed trust in God’s Word to answer the most important questions of life that would lead to his future ministry at L’Abri (French for “shelter”).

The opening of L’Abri brought many young men and women to the home of two evangelists on fire for the God of Scripture, who have been in awe and transformed by this sovereign God who has opened their lives to be a blessing to so many people who have come and gone through this special work (including Jerram Barrs, Os Guiness, Nancy Pearcey and Douglas Groothuis). Many of his talks led to the formation of his infamous trilogy (mentioned above), and also True Spirituality, which is concerned with the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life to be both true and spiritual.

His love for others was both driven by a kindled desire to see God’s Word vindicated in actual daily life and also for a heart warmth to those made in the image of God who must be given the Gospel that they may believe. He had a continual passion for people, in how he would engage with non-believers by being very fervent to listen to their concerns and then lovingly show them the folly of their choices, that Christ would be displayed as beautiful and glorious not just in his patience for them, but also for his love for other believers as well. He was engaged with cultural ideas not to be cultured, but to show he desired to understand where many were coming from that he would, through his own life as a redeemed sinner, as one who hopes to be more like Christ in sacrificially loving others who he might not see as important to him. Francis Schaeffer gave us an example to follow, that love was to be seen as the final apologetic in the life of the Christian, and that in our day of rejection of biblical truth, lives changed and flourishing Spirit-filled people would extend an act of love that would put all other forms of “love” to shame, and that Christ would be made great among those around us, wherever we’re at. Is that our desire today?

Passing on the Greatness of What?

Written by Pastor John Kim

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4

The greatness of the glory of God is the most valuable treasure that we have been given and if there is anything that must be passed on, it must be that God’s greatness is the highest priority to pass on to the next generation. As parents, it is incumbent upon us to share this priceless legacy with our children so that they would have every advantage to have been presented the glory of God to be seen as our chief end in life.

Yet this is the most fundamental problem, whether at an individual family level to whole congregations. The things of this world are proclaimed with much greatness, whether it be to get a higher education or to strive after a more prestigious vocation. What is most disheartening is that “God” is often used to present these pursuits as justifiable. I can distinctly remember going to churches where the last thing parents were concerned about was the spiritual destiny of their children, but they sure were going to make sure that they studied every possible moment to get that coveted 4.0 grade point average and a 1600 on the SAT. So you had kids in elementary school starting to get tutored for the SAT, attending academic enrichment classes above and beyond their regular school load. On top of that there was often the additional weight of taking on a musical instrument, the pressure to become the first chair of the orchestra. There was the constant comparing to other children and the all too often criticism of having fallen short. All for what end? When I was a youth pastor, kids were punished for getting a B on their report card so they were forbidden to attend Bible study until they got their grades up. When junior year rolled around, life then revolved around getting ready for college applications and finding every way to get an advantage to get into the highest ranked school possible. But it didn’t stop there. The major invariable revolved around something that would move toward a high end white collar profession. God forbid that you mentioned something about auto mechanics or becoming an elementary school teacher. A college degree was not enough either. A graduate degree was considered minimum in order to be acceptable. Some parents don’t even let their children consider marriage until they have finished a graduate degree. All for what end? It doesn’t end. It simply comes down to the greatness of this life on earth is being passed on as the highest priority for your life. And this is just one way of many that reflect the misappropriation of parental responsibility toward their children.

The one message I hear when I observe this kind of situation is that the parents have committed themselves to passing on the greatness of man. It is not about the greatness of God. It is about trying to attain to the greatest heights possible for the purpose of self-glory. It provides the kind of fodder for boasting to other parents. The highest value in life is placed on something that will not even last for eternity. On top of this, God is often invoked upon to help people attain to these earthly ends. This is a tragedy. And we are going lose yet another generation until this cycle is broken.

Now I’m not saying that education in itself is evil. But education was never to be used as a means to my own ends. If I call myself a true Christian, then the chief end of my life is the glory of God and to enjoy Him forever. All that I do in life is to be dedicated to this end. But how can this be if everything in life is focused on the glory of man and to enjoy this life now? Have not parents then forfeited their highest responsibility, that is, to pass on the greatness of God?

Parents are called in Scripture to raise up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Parents are called to give their children a model of what it means to fear the Lord and keep His commandments. It is not enough to just take them to church once in awhile. It is not enough to pray that God will one day turn your children around. Your child will die one day and as a parent, your responsibility is to have prepared them to the best of your ability to face God, not man.

We must learn from the example of the Israelites. Read the book of Judges and see how long it took for them to forget the greatness of God and start pursuing the idols of the countries around them. God had already warned them of the follow of worshipping false gods and yet they went ahead and would face the consequences.

We must strive to pursue the greatness of God not only for the sake of our own generation but we must be ready to pass it on to the next. We cannot blame the world or the culture around us if we ourselves have not done our utmost to present a high view of God and His Word in our own lives. We cannot afford to be hypocritical about this. If we have given ourselves over to the lusts of this world, then the pursuit of the world will exactly what the next generation will value. We cannot lose any more time because the lives of the next generation are at stake. We must break the cycle of sinful worldliness and pursue righteousness and holiness in being citizens of God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

Remember Romans 12:1-2 and meditate on it day and night. Live it and pass it on to the next generation. God’s glory is at stake so don’t treat it as inconsequential. You WILL give an account for it before God.

Editor's Note: May 2008

by Steven Hong

At the end of last month, we concluded our Sunday Evening Defining the Relationship (DTR) Series. It was profitable time. Married and engaged couples shared their lives as they were interviewed, and the very talented Single Life skit team gave us quite an emotional performance. The highlight of the series, of course, was the time of teaching, as Pastor John and Pastor Patrick gave us biblical insight into subjects like God-centered friendships, qualities to look for in a companion, and even when and how to break-up in a God-honoring way.

If you missed the series, be sure to get the sermons online or from the sound team.

Lighthouse Kids Club (LKC)

Written by Steven Hong

In November 2007, the Lighthouse Children’s program launched the Wednesday night Kids Club program. Coordinated by Chris Chung, and lead by a handful of members-servants, children enjoy a time of singing, teaching, small group, memory verses and crafts, followed by snacks and games. The children are split into three groups: Clubhouse (elementary), Treehouse (preschool), and Playhouse (nursery).

It was an opportunity for children to come to church to worship and learn during the week, offering a good change of pace from the fairly limited time during Sunday Second Hour. “One thing that we haven’t had during our Sunday programs is small group time,” Chris explains. “LKC has given us the opportunity to get to know the kids much better through our small groups.” Small group settings help the staff gauge better how the children are doing spiritually, which can be far more difficult in larger groups. Chris believes this “has better enabled us to impact their lives for Christ by gaining a better understanding of how much they do and don’t understand about God, His Word, and true faith.”

The ministry, six months running, is still in a formative stage. This summer, they plan to evaluate the ministry and areas of improvement. Their primary aim is to set strong gospel-centered foundations for these children. In addition, Chris describes the opportunity the ministry has in reaching out to the larger community: “LKC has already been a great way for parents and children to invite their friends and get them involved in the life of the church. We already have had a number of new kids come out!”

If you are interested in helping out with the Kids Club, please talk to Chris Chung.

Membership Interviews

by Pastor Patrick Cho

John and I are in the middle of conducting membership interviews for the church and so far it has been a tremendous encouragement and joy. It is always a blessing to hear of how God has brought people out of their sinful way of living and placed them in Christ. The testimonies of those coming out for membership have been incredible and we praise God for His work in their lives. Every time a person is convinced of the truth of the gospel and repents of their sin, it magnifies the grace of God and His glory.

It is also encouraging to hear what people are drawn to when they come to Lighthouse. Of course, people want to grow in the teaching of God’s Word so that they can be equipped to live their lives the best they can for God’s glory. But it is great to hear how people are drawn by the love of the members here for one another. So often in churches that emphasize truth, there is a lack of an emphasis on love. People have this idea that truth is a bunch of cold-hearted facts that must be communicated in a harsh, condescending way. So far as we can see, the members at Lighthouse really have learned to stand for the truth in a loving and gracious way.

I just wanted to encourage the church that people take notice of your love for God and one another. They are drawn to the church because of it.

“9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10.

Jonathan Edwards Resolution #46

by Pastor John Kim

Greetings to the LBC family and friends!!

Jonathan Edwards Resolution #46
Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

Family relations are always challenging and as Christians, we are called to be different so as not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the truth of God so that our relationships might reflect the reality of Christ’s lordship over every area of our life. The most difficult relationships seem to be those within the family and the parent/child relationship is especially one that many would struggle with, even as they grow older.

The idea of fretting uneasiness seems to encompass two ideas – one of an anxiety or worry toward or regarding issues with parents. The other would be a discomfort or difficulty in having an agreeable heart attitude toward your parents. There are so many ways in which someone can have interaction with their parents that would elicit anxiety or discomfort that often times it leads to conflicts that drive a deep wedge in the relationship and the ensuing interactions are affected to the point where what we say and how we look at them reflect a heart that is not in peace or exercising Christian love.

How often do we allow the tone of our voice to become harsh or critical toward parents when we feel like they are intruding in our lives? Does your blood pressure start to rise when you see that phone number on your caller ID, anticipating the conversation to be one that you have already determined to be unwelcomed and bothersome? Do family gatherings always bring a sense of resentment, even bitterness for the obligation and duty that are often pushed upon you?

This goes even further to extended family members, whether siblings, or other relatives. For those of us with large extended families, there can be blessings but there can also be a greater sense of anxiety and stress because of the multiple possibilities of trouble brewing.

I have found that there are a few things that have helped me with this:

1. Honor your father and mother (Deuteronomy 5:16) as the Lord your God has commanded you. As we grow older we are no longer going to be under their authority in the same way when we were young children but we are still called to honor them with a respectful heart of appreciation that would be a blessing to them. This is not necessarily easy to do, nor is it something that will always be acknowledged by your parents. But it is an issue that really relates to you seeking God’s glory through honoring His commands and in knowing that His approval is what is your greatest desire. There are too many people who have not honored their parents and you can tell through the “alteration in speech” or “motion of my eye” – there is often a very clear disrespectful tone, one of defiance, one of arrogance, one of disgust. Have you ever spoken to your parents in such a tone? You might feel justified with your behavior because your parents maybe haven’t been very affirming or very encouraging toward you throughout your life. You might feel like they are never satisfied, that they are always critical and comparing you to others. You might have even been abused growing up and so you might always be tense around them, even as an adult. But all these reasons are not enough to give you an excuse to not obey this command. It is and always will be a heart issue that YOU choose to exercise, even despite how you have been treated and will continue to be treated. But this will be one way in which you can be a great testimony, so that they can see the light of Christ in your life in such a clear way that they won’t be able to deny that something is different about you.

2. Practice the peacemaker pledge with them when facing conflict. For those who are members, you should already know this – the 4 G’s:

  1. Glorify God
  2. Get the log out of your own eye
  3. Gently confront
  4. Go and be reconciled

God’s glory needs to always come first. It’s not about your rights or their problems but about how you can honor the greatness of God and testify as to its priority in your life. This will be immediately tested as we are called to humble ourselves and take responsibility for our own contributions to the conflict, no matter how small it might be in comparison to what we perceive to be the problems our parents might have. It will be further revealed whether you are walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5) as to the way in which you confront, whether you are exhibiting gentleness in how you confront (for a further explanation on what it means to have gentle and quiet spirit, see this article). When we have conflicts, we need to be resolved that we would do everything in our power to seek reconciliation. It doesn’t mean that the other party will be cooperative and you might never reach a point where things are resolved and reconciled but before God we should have done our part to accomplish it.

Too many family conflicts stay unresolved because God’s glory is not primary. There is a lack of humility and an unwillingness to take the risks needed in order to step forward in dealing with problems.

3. Pray and have a thankful heart. It might be easy to just point out the faults of our parents and all the ways in which they might fall short. But we can still look to be thankful, even for the simple things that relate to them as parents. We can thank God for how He brought us into the world through our parents, for their provision and care, for their protection and oversight, as imperfect as it might have been. We can thank God that through our parents we were able to learn the lessons of life, whether it was in a positive or negative way. We can thank God that we even have a relationship with our parents as there are many who have never met their parents, much less had a relationhip with them. We can thank God that through our parents we have been challenged to consider the purpose of life as they might have directly or indirectly influenced us to pursue certain paths. For those with Christian parents, you can thank God that He graciously provided for you in that way so that you might have Christ presented to you at home. For those with non-Christian parents, you can still thank God and all the more have mercy toward them as they don’t know Christ and if anything, be understanding as to why they don’t understand you as a Christian for their hearts and minds have been darkened and they are not able to comprehend the truth. But you have been given mercy so that you might show mercy to them and be a light of the glory of Christ to them.

Our families are blessings from God. You will only have them for a time so don’t let opportunities go wasted. Especially be careful of your tone of voice or the looks that you give – they communicate a lot more than you might realize. Instead, let your voice and your demeanor reflect the glorious love of our Savior, who saved us, and continues to save us from our sinfulness and enables us through the power of the Holy Spirit to shower others, especially our family members, with His grace and mercy so that they might experience His love.

Give your parents a call this weekend and say hi.

In His grace,
Pastor John